Environmental Impact Statement for a Livestock Grazing and Trailing Management Plan at Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, 13615-13616 [2015-05976]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 50 / Monday, March 16, 2015 / Notices of human remains and associated funerary objects under the control of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District. The human remains and funerary objects were removed from Berkeley County, SC. This notice is published as part of the National Park Service’s administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3) and 43 CFR 10.11(d). The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. Rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Consultation A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District professional staff in consultation with representatives the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; AlabamaQuassarte Tribal Town; Catawba Indian Nation (aka Catawba Tribe of South Carolina); Cherokee Nation; Delaware Tribe of Indians; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Kialegee Tribal Town; Seminole Tribe of Florida (previously listed as the Seminole Tribe of Florida (Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa Reservations)); Shawnee Tribe; The Chickasaw Nation; The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Thlopthlocco Tribal Town; Tuscarora Nation; and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. History and Description of the Remains Between 1979 and 1981, human remains representing, at minimum, 59 individuals were removed from the Swamp Site (38BK235), in Berkeley County, SC. The site was excavated by the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA) of Columbia, SC, prior to the construction of the Cooper River Rediversion Canal. Artifacts were stored at SCIAA and the osteological materials (human and animal remains) were sent to the University of Missouri, Columbia, for analysis. Following analysis, the osteological material was returned to SCIAA, which is the current location of the collection. No known individuals were identified. The 102,358 associated funerary objects are 3 beads, 267 ceramic sherds, 339 concretions, 96,899 faunal fragments, 60 fossils (shell and coral), 1,842 lithic flakes (orthoquartzite, chert, and quartz), 20 lithic tool fragments, 21 lots of faunal fragments, 95 lots of screened material, VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:09 Mar 13, 2015 Jkt 235001 25 organics (wood, seeds, and snail shell), 1 piece of groundstone, 2,431 pieces of miscellaneous stone/pebbles, 97 pieces of charcoal, and 258 pieces of ochre (red and yellow). Determinations Made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District Officials of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District have determined that: • Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described in this notice are Native American based on the physical characteristics of the human remains, the method of interment, the objects associated with the interments, and the archaeological context of the site. • Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of 59 individuals of Native American ancestry. • Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 102,358 objects described in this notice are reasonably believed to have been placed with or near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony. • Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), a relationship of shared group identity cannot be reasonably traced between the Native American human remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day Indian tribe. • The 1760 Treaty of Pine Tree Hill indicates that the land from which the Native American human remains and associated funerary objects were removed is aboriginal land of the Catawba Indian Nation (aka Catawba Tribe of South Carolina). • Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of the human remains and associated funerary objects may be to the Catawba Indian Nation (aka Catawba Tribe of South Carolina). Additional Requestors and Disposition Representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a written request with information in support of the request to Mr. Alan Shirey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, ATTN: CESAC–PM–PL, 69A Hagood Ave., Charleston, SC 29403–5107, telephone (843) 329–8166, email alan.d.shirey@usace.army.mil, by April 15, 2015. After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Catawba Indian Nation PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13615 (aka Catawba Tribe of South Carolina) may proceed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District is responsible for notifying the Catawba Indian Nation (aka Catawba Tribe of South Carolina) that this notice has been published. Dated: February 3, 2015. Melanie O’Brien, Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. 2015–05996 Filed 3–13–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–50–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [ES–956–1420–BK ES–047171, Group 152, Wisconsin] Notice of Cancellation of a Portion of Plat of Survey On March 23, 1995 there was published in the Federal Register, Volume 60, Number 56, on page 15301 a notice entitled ‘‘Filing of Plat of Survey; Wisconsin.’’ In said notice was a plat depicting the survey of two islands located in Township 7 North, Range 22 East, Tracts 37 and 38, Fourth Principal Meridian, Wisconsin, accepted March 13, 1995. The plat, specifically the portion identified as Tract 37, has been cancelled effective December 11, 2014. Dominica VanKoten, Chief Cadastral Surveyor. [FR Doc. 2015–05901 Filed 3–13–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–IMR–CARE–17202; PPWONRADE2, PMP00EI05.YP0000] Environmental Impact Statement for a Livestock Grazing and Trailing Management Plan at Capitol Reef National Park, Utah National Park Service, Interior. Notice of intent. AGENCY: ACTION: The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for a Livestock Grazing and Trailing Management Plan (plan/EIS) for Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. DATES: Interested individuals, organizations, and agencies are encouraged to provide written comments regarding the scope of issues to be addressed in the plan/EIS. To be most helpful to the planning process, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM 16MRN1 Rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 13616 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 50 / Monday, March 16, 2015 / Notices the NPS requests comments be submitted by May 15, 2015. The NPS intends to hold public open house meetings on the Livestock Grazing and Trailing Management Plan EIS in Torrey, Utah, in Hanksville, Utah, and via webinar during this scoping period. Specific dates, times, and locations will be made available via a press release to local media, a public scoping newsletter to be mailed or emailed to interested parties, and on the NPS’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/care_lgtmp _eis. The NPS will provide additional opportunities for the public to offer written comments upon publication of the draft EIS. ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/care_ lgtmp_eis; and in the Capitol Reef National Park offices at 52 W. Headquarters Drive, Torrey, UT 84775. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Terry Fisk, Capitol Reef National Park Chief Resource Management and Science, or Leah McGinnis, Capitol Reef National Park Superintendent, at HC 70 Box 15, Torrey, UT 84775, or by telephone at (435) 425–4100. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fundamental purpose of the national park system is the conservation of our nation’s natural and cultural heritage on park lands for the enjoyment of current and future generations. In some cases, Congress has mandated or authorized the continuation of pre-existing uses on park lands in the legislation establishing or authorizing a park unit, while still recognizing that the National Park Service (NPS) must manage such uses consistent with its overarching conservation mission. This conservation mission extends to all units of the national park system, including Capitol Reef National Park (Park), where Congress directed the Secretary of the Interior, to allow certain activities to continue on park lands under Public Law 92–207 and 100–446. Currently, two of the 19 livestock grazing permits that existed prior to the establishment of the Park—the Hartnet and Sandy 3 allotments—are still active. In addition, eight pre-existing stock trails used by 7 permittees still cross the Park: Jones Bench, Grey Bench/ Cathedral Valley, Highway 24, Oak Creek, Pleasant Creek, Notom Road, Divide Canyon and Dry Bench. The legislation for the park directs that livestock grazing permittees who legally used park lands when the Park was established may continue the practice VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:09 Mar 13, 2015 Jkt 235001 during their lifetimes and the lifetimes of their children who were born on or before establishment of the park. The legislation for the Park also directs that livestock trailing be allowed to continue in perpetuity across the Park on traditional courses used by owners and operators of cattle herds prior to December 18, 1971. Historically, the NPS relied on the Bureau of Land Management to permit and manage livestock grazing in the Park. However, between 2000 and 2010, the NPS assumed sole management responsibility for the two active grazing allotments in the Park. As a result, the NPS is preparing a plan/EIS to provide guidance to the Park and its permit holders to promote the shared conservation and stewardship of the Park’s natural resources, ecological processes, and cultural resources while still permitting livestock grazing and trailing in accordance with the Park’s enabling legislation. A plan is needed because the park currently lacks a comprehensive approach for managing livestock grazing and trailing in a manner that addresses the potential impacts of these activities on the Park’s resources, including plants and animals listed under the Endangered Species Act and cultural resources protected under the National Historic Preservation Act. The NPS is the lead agency in this planning and EIS process. Other agencies with special expertise have accepted an invitation or requested to be cooperating agencies in the plan and EIS process, including the Bureau of Land Management; Emery County, Utah; Garfield County, Utah; Wayne County, Utah; and the State of Utah. The Park has already held preliminary discussions with technical specialists from these cooperating and other agencies and its permit holders. Through these discussions, the park has identified potential practices and tools that will be evaluated, along with any others that are identified through the public scoping process, to create alternatives for a long-term livestock grazing and trailing management plan. The practices and tools identified initially range from increased collaboration and communication with permittees, adjacent land managers, and visitors; to phased, adaptive implementation (based on monitoring results for desired resource and range conditions) of constructed improvements (e.g., fencing) and active livestock management practices (e.g., ongoing, ‘‘hands-on’’ management including potential adjustments to timing, duration, intensity, and distribution of grazing and trailing). PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The NPS has prepared a scoping newsletter that provides more information regarding the scope of the Livestock Grazing and Trailing Management Plan EIS, including the initial practices and tools under consideration. The newsletter has been distributed to interested parties and will be posted, along with other scoping materials, to the NPS PEPC Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/care_ lgtmp_eis. If you wish to comment during the scoping process, the preferred method for submitting comments is on the NPS PEPC Web site at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/care_lgtmp_eis. You may also mail comments to Capitol Reef National Park at HC 70 Box 15, Torrey, UT 84775, or hand-deliver them to 52 W. Headquarters Drive, Torrey, UT 84775. Comments will also be accepted during public meetings; however, comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Dated: February 24, 2015. Sue E. Masica, Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service. [FR Doc. 2015–05976 Filed 3–13–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–CB–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–AKRO–KOVA–GAAR–LACL–17792; PPAKAKROR4; PPMPRLE1Y.LS0000] Notice of Public Meetings and Teleconferences for the National Park Service Alaska Region Subsistence Resource Commission Program National Park Service, Interior. Meeting Notices. AGENCY: ACTION: As required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. Appendix 1–16), the National Park Service (NPS) is hereby giving notice that the Cape Krusenstern National Monument Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC), the Gates of the Arctic National Park SRC, and the Lake SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM 16MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13615-13616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05976]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-IMR-CARE-17202; PPWONRADE2, PMP00EI05.YP0000]


Environmental Impact Statement for a Livestock Grazing and 
Trailing Management Plan at Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an Environmental 
Impact Statement for a Livestock Grazing and Trailing Management Plan 
(plan/EIS) for Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.

DATES: Interested individuals, organizations, and agencies are 
encouraged to provide written comments regarding the scope of issues to 
be addressed in the plan/EIS. To be most helpful to the planning 
process,

[[Page 13616]]

the NPS requests comments be submitted by May 15, 2015. The NPS intends 
to hold public open house meetings on the Livestock Grazing and 
Trailing Management Plan EIS in Torrey, Utah, in Hanksville, Utah, and 
via webinar during this scoping period. Specific dates, times, and 
locations will be made available via a press release to local media, a 
public scoping newsletter to be mailed or emailed to interested 
parties, and on the NPS's Planning, Environment and Public Comment 
(PEPC) Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/care_lgtmp _eis. The NPS 
will provide additional opportunities for the public to offer written 
comments upon publication of the draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review online at 
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/care_lgtmp_eis; and in the Capitol Reef 
National Park offices at 52 W. Headquarters Drive, Torrey, UT 84775.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Terry Fisk, Capitol Reef 
National Park Chief Resource Management and Science, or Leah McGinnis, 
Capitol Reef National Park Superintendent, at HC 70 Box 15, Torrey, UT 
84775, or by telephone at (435) 425-4100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fundamental purpose of the national park 
system is the conservation of our nation's natural and cultural 
heritage on park lands for the enjoyment of current and future 
generations. In some cases, Congress has mandated or authorized the 
continuation of pre-existing uses on park lands in the legislation 
establishing or authorizing a park unit, while still recognizing that 
the National Park Service (NPS) must manage such uses consistent with 
its overarching conservation mission.
    This conservation mission extends to all units of the national park 
system, including Capitol Reef National Park (Park), where Congress 
directed the Secretary of the Interior, to allow certain activities to 
continue on park lands under Public Law 92-207 and 100-446. Currently, 
two of the 19 livestock grazing permits that existed prior to the 
establishment of the Park--the Hartnet and Sandy 3 allotments--are 
still active. In addition, eight pre-existing stock trails used by 7 
permittees still cross the Park: Jones Bench, Grey Bench/Cathedral 
Valley, Highway 24, Oak Creek, Pleasant Creek, Notom Road, Divide 
Canyon and Dry Bench. The legislation for the park directs that 
livestock grazing permittees who legally used park lands when the Park 
was established may continue the practice during their lifetimes and 
the lifetimes of their children who were born on or before 
establishment of the park. The legislation for the Park also directs 
that livestock trailing be allowed to continue in perpetuity across the 
Park on traditional courses used by owners and operators of cattle 
herds prior to December 18, 1971.
    Historically, the NPS relied on the Bureau of Land Management to 
permit and manage livestock grazing in the Park. However, between 2000 
and 2010, the NPS assumed sole management responsibility for the two 
active grazing allotments in the Park. As a result, the NPS is 
preparing a plan/EIS to provide guidance to the Park and its permit 
holders to promote the shared conservation and stewardship of the 
Park's natural resources, ecological processes, and cultural resources 
while still permitting livestock grazing and trailing in accordance 
with the Park's enabling legislation. A plan is needed because the park 
currently lacks a comprehensive approach for managing livestock grazing 
and trailing in a manner that addresses the potential impacts of these 
activities on the Park's resources, including plants and animals listed 
under the Endangered Species Act and cultural resources protected under 
the National Historic Preservation Act.
    The NPS is the lead agency in this planning and EIS process. Other 
agencies with special expertise have accepted an invitation or 
requested to be cooperating agencies in the plan and EIS process, 
including the Bureau of Land Management; Emery County, Utah; Garfield 
County, Utah; Wayne County, Utah; and the State of Utah.
    The Park has already held preliminary discussions with technical 
specialists from these cooperating and other agencies and its permit 
holders. Through these discussions, the park has identified potential 
practices and tools that will be evaluated, along with any others that 
are identified through the public scoping process, to create 
alternatives for a long-term livestock grazing and trailing management 
plan. The practices and tools identified initially range from increased 
collaboration and communication with permittees, adjacent land 
managers, and visitors; to phased, adaptive implementation (based on 
monitoring results for desired resource and range conditions) of 
constructed improvements (e.g., fencing) and active livestock 
management practices (e.g., ongoing, ``hands-on'' management including 
potential adjustments to timing, duration, intensity, and distribution 
of grazing and trailing).
    The NPS has prepared a scoping newsletter that provides more 
information regarding the scope of the Livestock Grazing and Trailing 
Management Plan EIS, including the initial practices and tools under 
consideration. The newsletter has been distributed to interested 
parties and will be posted, along with other scoping materials, to the 
NPS PEPC Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/care_lgtmp_eis.
    If you wish to comment during the scoping process, the preferred 
method for submitting comments is on the NPS PEPC Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/care_lgtmp_eis. You may also mail comments to 
Capitol Reef National Park at HC 70 Box 15, Torrey, UT 84775, or hand-
deliver them to 52 W. Headquarters Drive, Torrey, UT 84775.
    Comments will also be accepted during public meetings; however, 
comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of 
others will not be accepted. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Dated: February 24, 2015.
Sue E. Masica,
Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-05976 Filed 3-13-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-CB-P
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